148 
THE FERN FAMILIES OF BRITAIN. 
translucent appearance misleads the eye in this respect. The 
root is a creeping one, and, when once the plant is established, 
speedily makes its way about and produces fronds freely, 
though these very slowly acquire full development. Under 
congenial circumstances they remain green for years. 
Killarney is by no means the only home of this Fern, as, 
besides having a wide geographical range outside Britain, it 
has been found in many other places in Ireland, also in Wales; 
and one reliable record exists of a Yorkshire find. Naturally, 
a Fern constituted like this can only exist in an atmosphere 
saturated with moisture ; hence its home is by the side of, 
or, it may be, behind, the plashing cascade, wherever the wind 
is warded oif by the friendly water — to say nothing of the 
too inquisitive, and, alas ! too acquisitive, Fernist (a distinct 
species from the Fern-Zorer). 
The fructification consists of deep, cup-shaped receptacles, 
sunk in the edges of the pinnae, the spore-capsules being 
attached to a long bristle in its centre, which projects more 
or less from the said receptacle ; whence the name Bristle 
Fern, commonly applied to this species, and also its botanical 
name of Tricliomanes. 
For cultivation, see Chapter YI., first section. 
This Fern has sported freely, considering its rarity. The 
most marked varieties are : 
T. r. Andrewsii (Andrews’). Fronds narrower, and pinnas 
more distant. Wild find. 
T. r. crispum (crisped). A curled, crispy form, very pecu- 
liar, branching sometimes irregularly. 
T. r. dilatatum (dilated). Fronds much less divided. 
T. r. dissectum (dissected). Fronds much finer cut than 
the normal. 
T. r. prolifermn (proliferous). A form bearing bulbils. 
